The state government dished out $15m from its Fixing Country Rail program, with Tamworth sharing $1m with four other projects.

An intermodal hub in Tamworth works well with the NSW government’s regional freight strategy, says Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads and Rail, Kevin Anderson.

“I organised a meeting between council and Freight Minister Duncan Gay, and he really like the project, but we still need to do some work on it,” the Tamworth MP said.

“Council has purchased land for the intermodal hub, the next step is to reopen and upgrade this line. This funding lets us do the groundwork to get that motoring along.

“It’s all about getting from paddock to port as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray said he was “mildly disappointed” major funding was not allocated in the first round, but understood there was only $15m available.

“We are pleased to receive the grant for the final costings, which is a really good step in the process of getting an intermodal hub in Tamworth,” Cr Murray said.

“Council will continue to work with Kevin Anderson to secure the funding to upgrade rail.”

Hopefully the planning and design work will be completed by the time the second round of funding rolls around, Mr Anderson said.

While Tamworth continues to plan, 2.8km of disused rail between Moree to Inverell will reopened with a $2m investment from the government.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the freight transport network was the backbone of country NSW.

“This means that about 250,000 tonnes of grain and 6400 twenty-foot containers of cotton and pulses – the equivalent of 6000 trucks – per year can be moved by rail to Newcastle instead of having to go by road to Queensland ports,” he said.

“This is a big win for Moree’s rural economy.”